A mum has told how she fears for her son’s safety after he was abducted by his rape suspect father.

Norma Heeney’s only child, Faris, was dressed up as a girl and smuggled out of the country in July 2009.

The six-year-old is living in Egypt and is being raised by his father Amir Ismaeil.

Norma said: “I have no idea what is going on in my son’s life. If we don’t send money over he will harm Faris."

The image above shows the shocking moment the Irish tot was photographed playing with knives as part of a traditional tribal dance.

The six-year-old holds the dangerous blades in the bedroom of the Egyptian home where he is living with his rape suspect dad Amir.

The terrifying image is in sharp contrast to snaps taken four years ago where the boy is seen cuddling a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear and playing on a toy car with his beloved grandfather.

And last night Faris’ mum Norma said she fears her son will come to harm with the Government failing to do anything since he was abducted by Amir’s brother Moustafa in July 2009.

The dad fled Ireland four years ago on a false passport after he and another brother, Tamer, were charged with an alleged horror rape of an another Irish woman.

Tot plays on toy car with his grandfather

Norma’s devastated family have made repeated approaches to the Justice and Foreign Affairs departments here as well as Egyptian authorities but have been repeatedly told there is nothing that can be done.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror last night devastated Norma revealed her shock when she first learned her son had been abducted.

She said: “I could not comprehend how this had happened.

“I had Faris’ Irish passport – how could my son be in Egypt? I was in total shock and I collapsed.”

Norma explained she travelled to Egypt a number of times to “beg and plead” for her son’s return.

When that didn’t work they turned to politicians and other groups. Norma added: “Basically myself and my family went to anyone who would listen to us.”

Norma Heeney and baby Faris

Norma said she feels like the family haven’t been given the support they need from the Government.

She added: “My thoughts are they don’t have the bottle to do or say anything to change this situation.

“They have offered virtually no help or assistance to us whatsoever, nor have the department of justice, foreign affairs or the department of children.

“This could happen to any family. You would never believe it would or could happen to us in this day and age.” Norma explained her biggest fear is that Faris will be hurt in Egypt. She said: “I have no idea what’s going on in my son’s life. Amir has been violent before to myself and Faris.

“We receive constant threats for money from Amir.

“I do fear for his safety. Particularly in light of what’s happening in Egypt at the moment.”

Norma, centre, with her family Kate, Marian, Amy and Noel Heeney

But determined Norma said she will not give up the fight, adding “This whole ordeal has totally broken my life.

“I have been defeated by him time and time again. But I do know good will win over evil in the end. I will fight until my dying day for my son.”

Norma described her ex-lover as “extremely dangerous and manipulative.”

She said: “When we have visited before he has taken my phone, my mother’s and my sister’s phone, locked us in rooms. He attacked me physically on two occasions. He is extremely violent. My son is not safe with this man.

“He continuously makes dreadful threats to my family saying, ‘I will throw acid in your mother’s face’. He is capable of anything.”

Norma’s sister Amy said the family are worried Faris will be seriously hurt.

Faris and dad Amir Ismaeil

She added: “Since Faris was brought over there he has been circumcised and completely immersed in the Muslim culture.

“My mother travelled over there in February and on that visit she witnessed the child being slapped, beaten and thrown around the place like a rag doll. We are gravely concerned for his safety and welfare.”

Photographs released to the Irish Mirror yesterday by the family show a happy Faris growing up in Clonsilla in West Dublin.

The snaps are in sharp contrast to a video that has emerged recently of him playing with knives as part of a tribal dance in Tanta, north of Cairo.

Norma had flown to Tanta five times to visit her abducted son until she was seriously assaulted there in 2012.The mum met Amir when they both worked at James Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, West Dublin, in 2007.

Amy said: “He was a part-time caterer there and he was very much the smooth talker.

“They fell in love and were living together when Norma fell pregnant.” The relationship broke down after Norma claimed Amir became controlling and violent but the pair maintained a mature relationship.

Amir was allowed to see his son regularly but it was on one of these visits that little Faris was spirited away by Moustafa to Egypt.

Norma Heeney

The uncle returned to Ireland without Faris and was later jailed for six years for the abduction.

Amir and Tamer were charged over the alleged sexual assault and rape of an Irish woman in April 2007. The pair were released on their own bond of €1,500 and an independent surety of €12,000. A warrant was issued for both their arrests after they fled the jurisdiction in August 2009 – days after Faris was kidnapped. Authorities said there is nothing they can do because Egypt is not a signatory to the Hague convention on child abduction. There is no extradition treaty between Ireland and Egypt.

But the family have pointed to the case of fugitive solicitor Michael Lynn as an example of where the Irish Government has secured a bilateral extradition agreement.